Cape Town, South Africa, March 2024
PUMA has signed a partnership with ultra-marathon champion Givemore Mudzinganyama.
Mudzinganyama, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon defending champion, said he was inspired to partner with the brand by seeing PUMA international and local athletes achieving their goals: “For example, Precious Mashele ran a 10km South African record last year. I’m also loving the comfort and cushioning of the shoes.”
Rae Trew-Browne, PUMA SA Run Train Marketing Manager, said having an athlete of Givemore Mudzinganyama’s calibre joining the family showed how far the PUMA NITRO running footwear had progressed, in particular the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 2 and the PUMA Fast-R2 NITRO Elite which will be Mudzinganyama choice of race shoes.
“We are delighted to welcome Givemore to PUMA and look forward to working with him as he attempts to defend his 2023 Two Oceans Marathon title,” said Trew-Browne.
A member of the Entsika Athletics Club, Mudzinganyama trains at Zoolake under the watchful eye of coach Hendrik Ramaala. “I love to train with the Zoolake training group. Everyone is ambitious and has their own goals, so we are always challenging each other. Then after training we regroup, reflect, and talk about our future endeavours,” he said.
Although capable of racing across many different distances, he prefers marathons and ultra-marathons. “I love these distances because they are influenced by many factors like nutrition during the event, endurance, fatigue, and mental focus as we’re running for many hours. Trying to perfect all these factors at once is always mind blowing and interesting,” he said.
Asked about his past successes and future goals, Mudzinganyama said: “Winning and running well is always rewarding. It’s a mental boost because you know that your training is working. I’m happy with the past and the present and I’m looking forward for good achievements in the near future.”
Givemore Mudzinganyama PUMA Q&A
Q: What do you enjoy most about your sport?
A: When I’m running I feel more free and relaxed. I feel in control of every thought in my mind and I also become ambitious and curious about my goals both relating to running and outside of running. I also like running because it’s a healthy lifestyle.
Q: What has running taught you?
A:That you need to be patient and you need to put together your fitness goals and physical abilities at an equilibrium level. Consistency is measured in weeks, months and years. When you put everything together success is on the way.
Q: Anything that has boosted your performance over the past year?
A:After I lost my job, I joined the Entsika Athletics Club and this has enabled me to fully commit to running and I haven’t missed a single training session at Zoolake with my coach Hendrik Ramaala.
Q:Tell us about winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon?
A: Winning and running well is always rewarding. It’s a mental boost because you know that your training is working. I’m happy with the past and the present and I’m looking forward for good achievements in the near future.
Q: Your favourite place to train?
A:I love to train with the Zoolake training group. Everyone is ambitious and has their own goals, so we are always challenging each other. Then after training we regroup, reflect and talk about our future endeavours.
Q: Your favourite race?
A: For now I can say the Two Oceans Ultra. The puzzle worked really well last year so my thoughts are on trying to perfect the way I trained last year.
Q: Which are your favourite distances to race?
A:I’m enjoying marathons and ultra-marathons. I love these distances because they are influenced by many factors like nutrition during the event, endurance, fatigue and mental focus as we’re running for many hours. Trying to perfect all these factors at once is always mind blowing and interesting.
Q: Tell us where your journey as a runner began?
A:I grew up loving many sports but during my school years I started doing athletics and I was always selected to represent my school. It became the gateway to travel to see different cities as we were from rural areas. It took self-commitment to drive me to keep on loving running, but I was also lucky to find mentors who have guided me with life lessons which have positively impacted my sporting career.
Q:What are your goals for 2024?
A: To run well at the Two Oceans Ultra and add another marathon or ultra-marathon later in the year, around September or October. In between I’ll try to enjoy some fast, short races to rejuvenate myself.
Q: What shoes do you compete in?
A:I’m currently exploring the PUMA shoe range and so for I am loving the Deviate NITRO 2.
Q: Do your train in different shoes and if so why?
A: I train in different types of shoes. It’s mainly determined by terrain conditions, the speed you’re running and the distance you want to cover. Longer easy runs will require higher comfort and cushioning. Faster runs will demand lighter and responsive shoes. Sometimes you need more grip on slippery and rough pathways.
Q: Why have you decided to partner with the brand?
A:I am inspired by PUMA international and local athletes achieving their goals. For example, Precious Mashele who ran a 10km South African record last year. I’m also loving the comfort and cushioning of the shoes.
Q: Any key factors that have boosted your career?
A: Getting married in 2013. My partner is also an athlete, so our daily routine is dedicated to sports as we are constantly trying to find how we can improve.
Q: When challenges hit you during a race, how do you make yourself push on?
A: I look back at some of the hard training efforts. At times I seek support from the fans cheering along the route.
Q: Advice for young aspiring athletes?
A: Find and join a professional running group and grow within that community.